Writer/Director: Jane Campion
Starring: Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish and Paul Schneider
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have created movies which inspire awe like Ben Whishaw. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Whishaw has become a celebrated British icon. Whether it’s tech inventors, passionate writers or destructive lovers, Whishaw has portrayed countless interesting characters. Arguably, Whishaw’s greatest strength as an actor has often been his strong commitment. He is one of those actors that has often had flair for stealing the show in supporting roles Whishaw has never been afraid of taking risks in his career by portraying characters which are not always likeable. Through his capability to portray characters that audiences can easily relate to, Whishaw has become an actor that audiences value. A British icon, Whishaw has become an icon whose movies audiences cherish. Throughout his illustrious career, Whishaw has made many memorable movies which are worth talking about without a single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Whishaw and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Bright Star” is my favourite. Released back in 2009, Jane Campion’s movie captured the life of a poet engaging in a doomed life affair that causes despair. Packed with bold production, engaging storytelling and captivating acting, it’s one of the best period pieces ever made. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Ben Whishaw, who portrays a depressed poet that endured tragedy. Ultimately, what makes “Bright Star” a masterpiece is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies about poetry, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message on doomed love which would definitely resonate with everyone. A strong romantic masterpiece, there are many several reasons why “Bright Star” is a movie which is definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
Set in 19th Century England, “Bright Star” tells a story of a poet that has a doomed love affair that causes tragedy. Ben Whishaw plays John Keats, a legendary poet which has always had an aptitude for writing stories that inspire awe. Keats is a reclusive writer that prefers to spend time penning poetry leaving little room for love in his life. However, Keats’ life forever changes when he falls in love with a woman that causes disaster. Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish) is an attractive woman with a bright personality to which Keats is drawn. The two immediately get along well together forming a romance which seems like it will last forever. Keats’ dreams of love came to a sad closure when he becomes diagnosed with terminal illness which causes disaster. Facing a dilemma, Keats begins to question whether it’s possible for him to earn love in a troubled era. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Keats wonders if he can possibly overcome an illness which causes disaster.
Jane Campion is fascinated with the lives of lovers facing disaster. A legendary feminist filmmaker, Campion has often made great movies about doomed romance that causes disaster. Her award-winning film “The Piano” offered an engaging depiction of lovers that are torn apart by social class causing sorrow. With “Bright Star”, however, Campion made her first poetry drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the life of a renowned writer but he succeeded. Using spellbinding cinematography, Campion captures the life of a poet that faces tragedy. Inspired by Ang Lee’s “Sense & Sensibility”, Campion deftly uses montages capturing the bond among lovers in a bygone century. For instance, montages elevate the poetry recital scene. During this heartfelt scene, Keats teaches Fanny how to learn poetry. One appreciates montages capturing the hardships poets are facing. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Sam Mendes’ “Skyfall” claimed, montages elevate James Bond movies. That being, they work tremendously in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Campion captures the tensions which poets penning stories are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Bright Star” that merits appreciation is the production design. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Campion has always had a flair for using costumes in her movies to convey strong personalities of characters, and “Bright Star” showcased her best strengths as a filmmaker. Throughout the movie, Keats’ clothes exhibit changes in his personality. At the start of the film, Keats wears dark clothes without bright colours. However, when he has fallen in love with Fanny, Keats’ clothes change drastically. For instance, costumes elevate the valentine proposal scene. During this heartfelt scene, Keats gets angry with Brown when he has proposed to Fanny. One appreciates colourful costumes capturing the hardships poets often go through. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Mark Braddhaw’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden which poets bear. Using strong production, Campion captures struggles of poets which experience tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Bright Star” is a captivating period drama that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses sequences of silence to capture poets which face tension. Inspired by Joe Wright’s “Pride & Prejudice”, Campion effectively uses silence to capture the strong bonds between prejudiced lovers. For instance, silence elevates the poet love scene. During this memorable scene, Keats and Fanny experience a romantic encounter spending time in the forest together. Through beautiful use of silence, Campion creates a compelling romance that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” claimed silence elevates movies about the Holocaust. Tom Hooper’s “The King’s Speech” did claim that silence elevates movies about kings with speech disabilities. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a powerful screenplay, Campioj captures the strong bonds between British lovers that experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates phenomenal performances.
Ben Whishaw delivers one of his best career performances as John Keats. Whishaw first achieved appreciation for playing technology inventors in Bond movies. With “Bright Star”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a legendary poet falling in love in a doomed romance but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Whishaw has often excelled at portraying artists which are under intense pressure, and “Bright Star” showcased his strengths as an actor. Through captivating expressions, he conveys the angst, depression and grief of a poet that struggles to cope with a doomed romance that causes disaster. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated British actors currently today.
Abbie Cornish is captivating as a woman that falls in love with a poet that she has grown to cherish. While Whishaw gets a showier role, Cornish is also amazing as a woman facing an emotional toll. As Fanny, Cornish embodied a troubled woman through her body language. Whether she is learning poetry from Mr. Keats or grieving the loss of a family member from illness that’s heartbreaking, Cornish uses her strong body language to create a character there compelling. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most celebrated actresses in the industry today.
Finally, “Bright Star” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing poets which go far. Unlike most movies about poets, the movie tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It discusses powerful themes including identity, marriage and social class which will resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t treasured to be fans of poetry to acknowledge it. It delivers an inspiring message about importance of finding one’s dreams which would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Bright Star” is one of those rare commemorated movies capturing poetry that everyone will adore.
Fans of Ben Whishaw will definitely appreciate “Bright Star” and so will movie-goers seeking heartbreaking entertainment. A captivating romantic classic, it honours an actor that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking romantic film about bright poets falling in love with women in doomed romantic relationships that are heartbreaking, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in captivating movies which are definitely without a single doubt absolutely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 